Methods and apparatus for capturing data using a marine electronics device

ABSTRACT

Various implementations described herein are directed to technologies for capturing marine electronics data. An apparatus includes a processor and a memory having a plurality of executable instructions that are executed by the processor. The processor receives a first request to capture data. The processor generates a command in response to the first request. The processor sends the command across a network to one or more devices capable of responding to the command. The command may include at least timestamp data and a second request for each of the one or more devices to collect data that each of the one or more devices is configured to collect.

BACKGROUND

The following descriptions and examples do not constitute an admissionas prior art by virtue of their inclusion within this section.

Present day devices allow the setting of a waypoint on a chart panel ofa marine electronics device. Setting a waypoint allows a user to mark aspot on a map so that the user may return to that spot later.

SUMMARY

Described herein are implementations of various technologies forcapturing marine electronics data. An apparatus includes a processor anda memory having a plurality of executable instructions that are executedby the processor. The processor receives a first request to capturedata. The processor generates a command in response to the firstrequest. The processor sends the command across a network to one or moredevices capable of responding to the command. The command may include atleast timestamp data and a second request for each of the one or moredevices to collect data that each of the one or more devices isconfigured to collect.

The apparatus may include a mark button for receiving the request. Inone implementation, the first request may be initiated upon actuation ofthe mark button. In another implementation, the mark button provides adrop down menu and selection of an item in the drop down menu initiatesthe first request.

The first request may be initiated automatically. In one implementation,the first request is automatically initiated at a predetermined time. Inanother implementation, the first request is automatically initiatedwhen certain data changes or when a threshold for certain data isreached.

The data may be collected periodically during a background operation. Inone implementation, the collected data may be a static snapshot. Inanother implementation, the collected data may be a series of snapshots.The series of snapshots may be recorded for a trail of locations. Theseries of snapshots may be recorded over time.

The series of snapshots may be started either manually or automaticallyand stopped when a threshold has been reached. The threshold may be anevent-based threshold and/or a time-based threshold.

In one implementation, data from the one or more devices is associatedbased on the timestamp data.

Also disclosed herein is a non-transitory computer-readable mediumhaving stored thereon a plurality of computer-executable instructionswhich, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to: receive, at amarine electronics device, a first request to capture data; generate, bythe marine electronics device, a command in response to receiving thefirst request; and send, by the marine electronics device, a commandacross a network to one or more devices capable of responding to thecommand, the command including at least a timestamp and a second requestfor each of the one or more devices to collect one or more snapshots ofdata.

Further disclosed herein is a non-transitory computer-readable mediumhaving stored thereon a plurality of computer-executable instructionswhich, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to: receive, atthe marine electronics device, a request to mark a waypoint; record, bythe marine electronics device, position data and a screenshot of currentsonar data; and associate, by the marine electronics device, theposition data and the screenshot of the current sonar data with themarked waypoint.

In one implementation, an indicator of the screenshot may be provided ona chart screen of the marine electronics device. In anotherimplementation, the screenshot may be provided in a waypoint data panelaccessible by selecting a waypoint from a list of waypoints.

The above referenced summary section is provided to introduce aselection of concepts in a simplified form that are further describedbelow in the detailed description section. The summary is not intendedto identify key features or essential features of the claimed subjectmatter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimedsubject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limitedto implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any partof this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Implementations of various techniques will hereafter be described withreference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood,however, that the accompanying drawings illustrate only the variousimplementations described herein and are not meant to limit the scope ofvarious techniques described herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a method for capturing data using a marineelectronics device in accordance with various implementations describedherein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a method for capturing data using a marineelectronics device in accordance with implementations of varioustechniques described herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example screen showing waypoint data on a chart inaccordance with implementations of various techniques described herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example waypoint list and waypoint data panel inaccordance with implementations of various techniques described herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example schematic of a marine electronics devicein accordance with implementations of various techniques describedherein.

FIG. 6 illustrates a computing system in accordance with implementationsof various techniques described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following paragraphs provide a brief summary of various technologiesand techniques directed at a sonar system described herein.

Implementations disclosed herein provide increased functionality for themark button on a marine electronics device. Many marine electronicdevices include a button, which may be called the mark button.Typically, when a user presses that button, there is some associatedfunctionality. Implementations disclosed herein enhance thatfunctionality. Various techniques described herein enable the markbutton to be applicable across various devices and equipment incommunication with the marine electronics device.

Various implementations for capturing data using a marine electronicsdevice will now be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1-6.

FIG. 1 illustrates a method 100 for capturing data using a marineelectronics device in accordance with various implementations describedherein. In one implementation, method 100 may be performed by acomputing system. It should be understood that while method 100indicates a particular order of execution of operations, in someimplementations, certain portions of the operations might be executed ina different order. Further, in some implementations, additionaloperations or steps may be added to method 100. Likewise, someoperations or steps may be omitted.

At block 105, a first request is received to capture data. At block 110,a command is generated in response to the first request. At block 115,the command is sent across a network to one or more devices capable ofresponding to the command. In one implementation, the device thatreceives the first request and generates and sends the command iscoupled to the one or more devices capable of responding to the commandvia the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) protocol. Thecommand comprises at least a second request for each of the one or moredevices to collect one or more snapshots of data associated with therespective device, e.g., data that each of the one or more devices isconfigured to collect. In one implementation, the command furtherincludes timestamp data and/or a unique identifier.

Conventional use of the mark button marks a waypoint on a chart functionof the marine electronics device. Implementations as disclosed hereinprovide for using the mark button to take a snapshot of sonar data,radar data, Global Positioning System (GPS) location, radio transmission(TX) and/or receive (RX) status, boat speed, temperature, etc. Storageof that data may be in the device that received the first request, e.g.,via the mark button, or in one or more other locations. In oneimplementation, the storage of that snapshot can be in each device thatmanages the snapshot. In one implementation, a time-stamped snapshot isrecorded across one or more devices. Alternatively, the mark button maybe pushed and a user may choose from a drop down menu to take apre-configured snapshot, which may, for example, only be sonar, radar,weather, and/or chart data.

In one implementation, the user may start or stop logging of data (e.g.,similar to the logging of data in a black box of an airplane). If aproblem occurs, the user may push the mark button or the snapshotfunctionality may be initiated automatically based on pre-determinedcriteria. Once logging is initiated, all of the pertinent data, e.g.,charts, speed, direction, etc., can be collected. In this manner, forexample, if the user's vessel has run aground or into another boat, somedata may be available, e.g., for insurance purposes.

In one implementation, data collected periodically in the background maybe started or stopped based on user input or some other event. Forexample, for snapshotting of data, a periodic snapshot may occur everyfive seconds or some other time increment. The user may invoke, start,or stop the snapshotting of data. The snapshot may be on-demand andoccur, for example, when a user pushes a button to collect the data. Inone implementation, data may be collected on a system-wide basis, e.g.,all devices receive the command to collect data. In anotherimplementation, data may be collected from a smaller subset of devices.In this implementation, the smaller subset of devices receives thecommand to collect data. In either implementation, the data is relatedas described below using at least a timestamp. For example, an anglerinitiating a snapshot may, using the implementations disclosed herein,take a snapshot that provides location, temperature, depth, weatherconditions, location of catch, location of anchor, tank level, flowlevel, boat status, imaging status, wind speed, etc. The data for thesesnapshots is collected by an associated device and/or module. Datacollected periodically in the background may be part of a periodicpolling feature that provides a background log of snapshots driven byevent or time.

Generally, when marking a waypoint on a chart panel, the waypoint istypically denoted by a cross, a number or some other alphanumericrepresentation. When marking a waypoint, the position data, sonar data,radar, GPS, auto-pilot status, and auto menu may be recorded. In oneimplementation, this recorded data (snapshot) is not limited to staticlocations. The snapshot data may be recorded for a trail of locations.In another implementation, the snapshot data may be recorded as thebeginning of a search grid.

In one implementation, instead of creating a static snapshot, a seriesof snapshots may be taken over time. Data may be recorded according todifferent time intervals, e.g., frames per minute, time stamps perminute. The series of snapshots can be started and then driven by thedata. For example, the marine electronics device can receive anindication to send a command to the one or more devices to start takingsnapshots when a boat is within 20-30 feet of water and continuerecording those snapshots.

In one implementation, recording of a series of snapshots may be stoppedusing the mark button. For example, when the marine electronics devicehas been preconfigured send a command to the one or more devices to takesystem wide snapshots every minute when a user presses the mark button,system wide snapshots will continue to be taken until the user pressesthe mark button to stop taking system wide snapshots.

In one implementation, the decision to stop recording snapshots may bepreconfigured to be time driven and/or data driven. In the case of data,the series of snapshots may be started/stopped when certain data ischanged or a threshold for the data is reached. For example, a series ofsystem snapshots can be taken when the vessel reaches a certainthreshold speed and the system may automatically stop taking snapshotswhen the vessel begins traveling under the speed threshold. In the caseof time, a series of snapshots can be started when a waypoint is markedand the system may be pre-configured to stop after a certain amount oftime has lapsed.

In one implementation, the system data from various devices areassociated based on time stamping. System data may include, but is notlimited to sonar data, radar data, a photograph, and/or any other data,e.g., engine data and/or engine management data, on the network, e.g.,MFD 2000, NMEA 2000 or similar network. The snapshot or series ofsnapshots is initiated by sending a command that any device on thenetwork may be able to honor.

A snapshot or a recording, e.g., series of snapshots, of system data maybe provided. In one implementation, a chart device, a sonar device, anda radar device are all separate but coupled by a network, e.g., an NMEAnetwork. When the user presses a chart mark button on the chart device,the user is able to obtain a log of each of the screens from the otherdevices. In one implementation, all of the data from the other devicesis not sent to the chart device. The data collected by each individualdevice is stored locally in the respective device. Upon receiving thecommand, the individual devices would take one or more local snapshotsof the data they manage.

In one implementation, at least one timestamp is sent from the marineelectronics device to the individual devices and these individualdevices would become responsible for the data gathering for theparticular process(es). So, using the above example, the sonar devicewould collect sonar data, the chart would collect chart data, and theradar device would collect radar data. The data collected by each devicewould be linked at least by a timestamp. The individual devices areresponsible for processing the pertinent data. The individual devicesreceive a command from the marine electronics device and the timestampto associate with the data.

Additionally, the collected data may also be linked by a uniqueidentifier to differentiate the system snapshot(s) from other datahaving the same timestamp. In this implementation, the marineelectronics device sends a timestamp and a unique identifier. Data maybe retrieved from any device in the system using a wireless or directconnection by searching through the timestamps and/or identifiers. Forexample, if four devices have the same timestamp, the unique identifierhelps differentiate between system wide data and local data. The uniqueidentifier may be used to look for data anywhere on the network.

In one implementation, there may be some devices that are not capable ofresponding to a request to take one or more snapshots. However, theseparticular devices may already be presenting data on the network. Thedata from these particular devices can be gathered and stored on atleast one of the devices in the network.

Once the individual devices, e.g., modules, take a local snapshot of itsown data, the data remains stored on that device (and/or in a storagelocation associated with the module). The marine electronics device orany other device on the network has the ability to retrieve thesnapshot(s). The system-wide snapshot data can be requested from amenu/logging system. This data can be retrieved from the network over awireless or wired connection. Some connection types include, but are notlimited to, WIFI or other connection types. Any device with loggingcapability may allow the user to navigate to these system-wide events(snapshots) and retrieve them.

At the time the command from the marine electronics device is given,e.g., when the button is pushed, at a certain predetermined time, orwhen a certain data threshold is reached, the timestamp and request aresent to all units and they gather their snapshots and mark them, tagthem, and store them each locally.

In one implementation, the local snapshot data can be stored in thedevice taking the snapshot. In another implementation, the localsnapshot data can also be stored in a local hard drive or sent to acloud based memory location. A user can access their account and storethe data for themselves. In addition, the user can perform spreadsheetanalysis or share the data with other users.

In one implementation, the marine electronics device can be placed in ateaching mode. In the teaching mode, a keystroke record mode may beinvoked with the same mark button. Once keystroke record mode isinvoked, the device enters a tutorial mode and records how the user usedthe marine electronics device and determines how easy or difficult thedevice was to use. In this implementation, instead of taking system widesnapshots, the device user interface takes one or more input snapshots.These input snapshots may be used to provide training to a user of themarine electronics device.

The data acquired according to the present disclosure may be used inrecord keeping, debugging, collision/fault determination. In addition,as described above, this acquired data may be uploaded to private and/orshared databases, social networks, and/or any other location accessibleover a wired or wireless connection.

FIG. 2 illustrates a method 200 for capturing data using a marineelectronics device in accordance with various implementations describedherein. In one implementation, method 200 may be performed by acomputing system. It should be understood that while method 200indicates a particular order of execution of operations, in someimplementations, certain portions of the operations might be executed ina different order. Further, in some implementations, additionaloperations or steps may be added to method 200. Likewise, someoperations or steps may be omitted.

Present day devices allow the setting of a waypoint on a chart panel ofa marine electronics device. Setting a waypoint allows a user to mark aspot on a map so that the user may return to that spot later. Thesewaypoints are usually just assigned a number. Some users name theirwaypoints, however, most users tend to leave these waypoints in anumbered list. Usually users set so many waypoints that they can'tremember what they were marking. Various techniques described hereinprovide a way to add more data to the waypoints to help users rememberthe reason for creating those waypoints. In one implementation, sonardata may be captured at the time when a waypoint is made. When a usermarks a waypoint, a marine electronics device takes a screenshot of thesonar data and saves that sonar data as part of the waypoint.

Some conventional techniques do the exact opposite of what is describedherein. Those conventional techniques allow users to take a screenshot.When the user takes the screenshot, the system sets a waypoint. This maybe a disadvantage to the user because many times, the users end upsetting waypoints that they don't want.

At block 205, the marine electronics device receives a request to mark awaypoint. At block 210, the marine electronics device records positiondata and a screenshot of current sonar data.

When a user, e.g., an angler, sees a point of interest, e.g., a goodfishing hole, wreckage, or some other location to mark, the user maypress a button and mark a waypoint. The user may look back at a latertime to take note of those points of interest. The next time the userreturns to that particular body of water, the waypoints can be used toguide the user back to previously marked locations. To help the anglerremember better, the marine electronics device takes a snapshot orscreenshot of the sonar data generated at the time the waypoint iscreated. That way the marked waypoint now has the ability to show thepoint in time, the location (latitude, longitude), underneath the boat(bunch of fish), and/or a wreckage or some other structure and ties thisdata to the waypoint.

At block 215, the marine electronics device associates the position dataand the screenshot of the current sonar data with the marked waypoint.

In one implementation, when a waypoint is marked, an indicator iscreated for the waypoint on the chart panel of the marine electronicsdevice. This indicator is associated with the screenshot taken at thetime the waypoint was created. In one implementation, this indicator maybe a thumbnail of the screenshot. When the thumbnail is selected by theuser, a larger or full-sized representation of the screenshot ispresented on the screen of the marine electronics device.

In one implementation, when the marine electronics device shows a screenthat provides chart information, the user may select the waypoint.Selecting the waypoint would provide a small box having a thumbnail ofthe screenshot associated with the waypoint. When a user selects thescreenshot, a larger or full-sized representation of the screen shotwould be presented on the screen of the marine electronics device.

In one implementation, the waypoint information appears in a waypointlist. When the user is viewing the waypoint list on the marineelectronics device, the user may select a particular waypoint. Aselection of the waypoint brings the user to a waypoint data panel whereconfigurations and other data may be set for the waypoint. The waypointdata panel includes all of the information that is stored for thewaypoint. For example, in the waypoint data panel, information such asthe name, an icon, or other information can be configured. In addition,an indicator may also be shown when a screen shot has been created forthe waypoint. As detailed above, this indicator may be a thumbnail that,when selected by the user, is shown as a larger or full-sizedrepresentation of the screenshot on a screen of the marine electronicsdevice.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example screen showing waypoint data on a chart inaccordance with implementations of various techniques described herein.The example screen of FIG. 3 includes ten waypoints (1-10). In thisexample waypoints 1, 2, and 10 include the indication, e.g., thumbnail,as described above.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example waypoint list and waypoint data panel inaccordance with implementations of various techniques described herein.In this example, a waypoint list includes the ten saved waypointsdenoted in the chart of FIG. 3. In addition, the waypoint data panelshowing configuration and/or saved data related to a particular waypointis shown. In this example, the data panel shows data related to Waypoint#2.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example schematic of a marine electronics device500 in accordance with implementations of various techniques describedherein. The marine electronics device 500 includes a screen 505. Incertain implementations, the screen 505 may be sensitive to touching bya finger. In other implementations, the screen 505 may be sensitive tothe body heat from the finger, a stylus, or responsive to a mouse. Themarine electronics device 500 may be attached to a National MarineElectronics Association (NMEA) bus or network. The marine electronicsdevice 500 may send or receive data to or from another device attachedto the NMEA 2000 bus. For example, the marine electronics device 500 maytransmit commands and receive data from a motor or a sensor using anNMEA 2000 bus. In one implementation, the marine electronics device 500may be capable of steering a vessel and controlling the speed of thevessel, i.e., autopilot. For example, one or more waypoints may be inputto the marine electronics device 500, and the marine electronics device500 may steer a vessel to the one or more waypoints. The marineelectronics device 500 may transmit or receive NMEA 2000 compliantmessages, messages in a proprietary format that do not interfere withNMEA 2000 compliant messages or devices, or messages in any otherformat. In various implementations, the marine electronics device 500may be attached to various other communication buses and/or networksconfigured to use various other types of protocols that may be accessedvia, e.g., NMEA 2000, NMEA 0183, Ethernet, Proprietary wired protocol,etc. In some implementations, the marine electronics device 500 maycommunicate with other devices on the vessel via wireless communicationprotocols.

In one implementation, the marine electronics device 500 be used toimplement the features and/or methods of FIGS. 1-4.

The marine electronics device 500 may be operational with numerousgeneral purpose or special purpose computing system environments orconfigurations. The marine electronics device 500 may include any typeof electrical and/or electronics device capable of processing data andinformation via a computing system. The marine electronics device 500may include a marine instrument, such that the marine electronics device500 may use the computing system to display and/or process the one ormore types of marine electronics data. The marine electronics device 500may be configured to display marine electronic data 515, such as, e.g.,chart data, radar data, sonar data, steering data, dashboard data,navigation data, fishing data, engine data, lighting operation data, andthe like. Further, the marine electronics device 500 may also includeone or more buttons 520 that may include either physical buttons orvirtual buttons, or a combination thereof. Still further, the marineelectronics device 500 may receive input through a screen 505 sensitiveto touch or buttons 520.

The computing system may include a central processing unit (CPU), asystem memory, a graphics processing unit (GPU), and a system bus thatcouples various system components including the system memory to theCPU. The computing system may include one or more CPUs, which mayinclude a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a processor, a programmableintegrated circuit, or a combination thereof. The CPU may include anoff-the-shelf processor such as a Reduced Instruction Set Computer(RISC), or a Microprocessor without Interlocked Pipeline Stages (MIPS)processor, or a combination thereof. The CPU may also include aproprietary processor.

The GPU may be a microprocessor specifically designed to manipulate andimplement computer graphics. The CPU may offload work to the GPU. TheGPU may have its own graphics memory, and/or may have access to aportion of the system memory. As with the CPU, the GPU may include oneor more processing units, and each processing unit may include one ormore cores.

The CPU may provide output data to a GPU. The GPU may generate graphicaluser interfaces that present the output data. The GPU may also provideobjects, such as menus, in the graphical user interface. A user mayprovide inputs by interacting with the objects. The GPU may receive theinputs from interaction with the objects and provide the inputs to theCPU. A video adapter may be provided to convert graphical data intosignals for a monitor (MFD 500). The monitor (MFD 500) includes a screen505. In certain implementations, the screen 505 may be sensitive totouching by a finger. In other implementations, the screen 505 may besensitive to the body heat from the finger, a stylus, or responsive to amouse.

The system bus may be any of several types of bus structures, includinga memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bususing any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, and notlimitation, such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture(ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA)bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, andPeripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus also known as Mezzanine bus.The system memory may include a read only memory (ROM) and a randomaccess memory (RAM). A basic input/output system (BIOS), containing thebasic routines that help transfer information between elements withinthe computing system, such as during start-up, may be stored in the ROM.

The computing system may further include a hard disk drive interface forreading from and writing to a hard disk, a memory card reader forreading from and writing to a removable memory card, and an optical diskdrive for reading from and writing to a removable optical disk, such asa CD ROM or other optical media. The hard disk, the memory card reader,and the optical disk drive may be connected to the system bus by a harddisk drive interface, a memory card reader interface, and an opticaldrive interface, respectively. The drives and their associatedcomputer-readable media may provide nonvolatile storage ofcomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules andother data for the computing system.

Although the computing system is described herein as having a hard disk,a removable memory card and a removable optical disk, it should beappreciated by those skilled in the art that the computing system mayalso include other types of computer-readable media that may be accessedby a computer. For example, such computer-readable media may includecomputer storage media and communication media. Computer storage mediamay include volatile and non-volatile, and removable and non-removablemedia implemented in any method or technology for storage ofinformation, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures,program modules, software modules, or other data. Computer-readablestorage media may include non-transitory computer-readable storagemedia. Computer storage media may further include RAM, ROM, erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other solidstate memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD), or otheroptical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which canbe used to store the desired information and which can be accessed bythe computing system. Communication media may embody computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules or other data in amodulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or other transportmechanism and may include any information delivery media. The term“modulated data signal” may mean a signal that has one or more of itscharacteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode informationin the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communicationmedia may include wired media such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF),infrared (IR), and other wireless media. The computing system mayinclude a host adapter that connects to a storage device via a smallcomputer system interface (SCSI) bus, Fiber Channel bus, eSATA bus, orusing any other applicable computer bus interface.

The computing system can also be connected to a router to establish awide area network (WAN) with one or more remote computers. The routermay be connected to the system bus via a network interface. The remotecomputers can also include hard disks that store application programs.In another implementation, the computing system may also connect to theremote computers via local area network (LAN) or the WAN. When using aLAN networking environment, the computing system may be connected to theLAN through the network interface or adapter. The LAN may be implementedvia a wired connection or a wireless connection. The LAN may beimplemented using Wi-Fi™ technology, cellular technology, Bluetooth™technology, satellite technology, or any other implementation known tothose skilled in the art. The network interface may also utilize remoteaccess technologies (e.g., Remote Access Service (RAS), Virtual PrivateNetworking (VPN), Secure Socket Layer (SSL), Layer 2 Tunneling (L2T), orany other suitable protocol). In some examples, these remote accesstechnologies may be implemented in connection with the remote computers.It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplaryand other means of establishing a communications link between thecomputer systems may be used.

A number of program modules may be stored on the hard disk, memory card,optical disk, ROM or RAM, including an operating system, one or moreapplication programs, and program data. In certain implementations, thehard disk may store a database system. The database system couldinclude, for example, recorded points. The application programs mayinclude various mobile applications (“apps”) and other applicationsconfigured to perform various methods and techniques described herein.The operating system may be any suitable operating system that maycontrol the operation of a networked personal or server computer.

A user may enter commands and information into the computing systemthrough input devices such as buttons, which may be physical buttons,virtual buttons, or combinations thereof. Other input devices mayinclude a microphone, a mouse, or the like (not shown). These and otherinput devices may be connected to the CPU through a serial portinterface coupled to system bus, but may be connected by otherinterfaces, such as a parallel port, game port or a universal serial bus(USB).

Certain implementations may be configured to be connected to a globalpositioning system (GPS) receiver system and/or a marine electronicssystem. The GPS system and/or marine electronics system may be connectedvia the network interface. The GPS receiver system may be used todetermine position data for the vessel on which the marine electronicsdevice 500 is disposed. The GPS receiver system may then transmit theposition data to the marine electronics device 500. In other examples,any positioning system known to those skilled in the art may be used todetermine and/or provide the position data for the marine electronicsdevice 500.

The marine electronics system may include one or more componentsdisposed at various locations on the vessel. Such components may includeone or more data modules, sensors, instrumentation, and/or any otherdevices known to those skilled in the art that may transmit varioustypes of data to the marine electronics device 500 for processing and/ordisplay. The various types of data transmitted to the marine electronicsdevice 500 from the marine electronics system may include marineelectronics data and/or other data types known to those skilled in theart. The marine electronics data received from the marine electronicssystem may include chart data, sonar data, structure data, radar data,navigation data, position data, heading data, automatic identificationsystem (AIS) data, Doppler data, speed data, course data, or any othertype known to those skilled in the art.

In one implementation, the marine electronics system may include a radarsensor for recording the radar data and/or the Doppler data, a compassheading sensor for recording the heading data, and a position sensor forrecording the position data. In a further implementation, the marineelectronics system may include a sonar transducer for recording thesonar data, an AIS transponder for recording the AIS data, a paddlewheelsensor for recording the speed data, and/or the like.

The marine electronics device 500 may receive external data via the LANor the WAN. In one implementation, the external data may relate toinformation not available from the marine electronics system. Theexternal data may be retrieved from the Internet or any other source.The external data may include atmospheric temperature, tidal data,weather, moon phase, sunrise, sunset, water levels, historic fishingdata, and other fishing data.

In one implementation, the marine electronics device 500 may be amulti-function display (MFD) unit, such that the marine electronicsdevice 500 may be capable of displaying and/or processing multiple typesof marine electronics data. FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of anMFD unit in accordance with implementations of various techniquesdescribed herein. In particular, the MFD unit may include the computingsystem, the monitor (MFD 500), the screen 505, and the buttons such thatthey may be integrated into a single console.

FIG. 6 illustrates a computing system 600 in accordance withimplementations of various techniques described herein. The computingsystem 600 may include a central processing unit (CPU) 630, a systemmemory 626, a graphics processing unit (GPU) 631 and a system bus 628that couples various system components including the system memory 626to the CPU 630. Although only one CPU 630 is illustrated in FIG. 6, itshould be understood that in some implementations the computing system600 may include more than one CPU 630.

The CPU 630 may include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, aprocessor, a programmable integrated circuit, or a combination thereof.The CPU 630 can comprise an off-the-shelf processor such as a ReducedInstruction Set Computer (RISC), or a Microprocessor without InterlockedPipeline Stages (MIPS) processor, or a combination thereof. The CPU 630may also include a proprietary processor.

The GPU 631 may be a microprocessor specifically designed to manipulateand implement computer graphics. The CPU 630 may offload work to the GPU631. The GPU 631 may have its own graphics memory, and/or may haveaccess to a portion of the system memory 626. As with the CPU 630, theGPU 631 may include one or more processing units, and each processingunit may include one or more cores.

The CPU 630 may provide output data to a GPU 631. The GPU 631 maygenerate graphical user interfaces that present the output data. The GPU631 may also provide objects, such as menus, in the graphical userinterface. A user may provide inputs by interacting with the objects.The GPU 631 may receive the inputs from interaction with the objects andprovide the inputs to the CPU 630. A video adapter 632 may be providedto convert graphical data into signals for a monitor 634. The monitor634 includes a screen 605. In certain implementations, the screen 605may be sensitive to touching by a finger. In other implementations, thescreen 605 may be sensitive to the body heat from the finger, a stylus,or responsive to a mouse. Additionally, in certain implementations, thescreen may have the capability of displaying more than one plan positionindicator (PPI).

The system bus 628 may be any of several types of bus structures,including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and alocal bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way ofexample, and not limitation, such architectures include IndustryStandard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus,Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA)local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus also known asMezzanine bus. The system memory 626 may include a read only memory(ROM) 612 and a random access memory (RAM) 616. A basic input/outputsystem (BIOS) 614, containing the basic routines that help transferinformation between elements within the computing system 600, such asduring start-up, may be stored in the ROM 612.

The computing system 600 may further include a hard disk drive interface636 for reading from and writing to a hard disk 650, a memory cardreader 652 for reading from and writing to a removable memory card 656,and an optical disk drive 654 for reading from and writing to aremovable optical disk 658, such as a CD ROM or other optical media. Thehard disk 650, the memory card reader 652, and the optical disk drive654 may be connected to the system bus 628 by a hard disk driveinterface 636, a memory card reader interface 638, and an optical driveinterface 640, respectively. The drives and their associatedcomputer-readable media may provide nonvolatile storage ofcomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules andother data for the computing system 600.

Although the computing system 600 is described herein as having a harddisk, a removable memory card 656 and a removable optical disk 658, itshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the computingsystem 600 may also include other types of computer-readable media thatmay be accessed by a computer. For example, such computer-readable mediamay include computer storage media and communication media. Computerstorage media may include volatile and non-volatile, and removable andnon-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storageof information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures,program modules or other data. Computer storage media may furtherinclude RAM, ROM, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM),electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flashmemory or other solid state memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatiledisks (DVD), or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetictape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or anyother medium which can be used to store the desired information andwhich can be accessed by the computing system 600. Communication mediamay embody computer readable instructions, data structures, programmodules or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier waveor other transport mechanism and may include any information deliverymedia. The term “modulated data signal” may mean a signal that has oneor more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as toencode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation,communication media may include wired media such as a wired network ordirect-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF,infrared and other wireless media. The computing system 600 may alsoinclude a host adapter 633 that connects to a storage device 635 via asmall computer system interface (SCSI) bus, a Fiber Channel bus, aneSATA bus, or using any other applicable computer bus interface.

The computing system 600 can also be connected to a router 664 toestablish a wide area network (WAN) 666 with one or more remotecomputers 674. The router 664 may be connected to the system bus 628 viaa network interface 644. The remote computers 674 can also include harddisks 672 that store application programs 670.

In another implementation, the computing system 600 may also connect tothe remote computers 674 via local area network (LAN) 676 or the WAN666. When using a LAN networking environment, the computing system 600may be connected to the LAN 676 through the network interface or adapter644. The LAN 676 may be implemented via a wired connection or a wirelessconnection. The LAN 676 may be implemented using Wi-Fi™ technology,cellular technology, Bluetooth™ technology, satellite technology, or anyother implementation known to those skilled in the art. The networkinterface 644 may also utilize remote access technologies (e.g., RemoteAccess Service (RAS), Virtual Private Networking (VPN), Secure SocketLayer (SSL), Layer 6 Tunneling (L2T), or any other suitable protocol).These remote access technologies may be implemented in connection withthe remote computers 674. It will be appreciated that the networkconnections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing acommunications link between the computer systems may be used.

A number of program modules may be stored on the hard disk 650, memorycard 656, optical disk 658, ROM 612 or RAM 616, including an operatingsystem 618, one or more application programs 620, and program data 624.In certain implementations, the hard disk 650 may store a databasesystem. The database system could include, for example, recorded points.The application programs 620 may include various mobile applications(“apps”) and other applications configured to perform various methodsand techniques described herein. The operating system 618 may be anysuitable operating system that may control the operation of a networkedpersonal or server computer.

A user may enter commands and information into the computing system 600through input devices such as buttons 662, which may be physicalbuttons, virtual buttons, or combinations thereof. Other input devicesmay include a microphone, a mouse, or the like (not shown). These andother input devices may be connected to the CPU 630 through a serialport interface 642 coupled to system bus 628, but may be connected byother interfaces, such as a parallel port, game port or a universalserial bus (USB).

Certain implementations may be configured to be connected to thetransceiver section 400 a of the computing system 600. In oneimplementation, the one or more application programs 620 or 670 storedin the computer-readable media can include a plurality of instructionsthat when executed by a processing unit, such as a CPU 630, cause thecomputing system to perform any of the techniques, or portions thereof,that are described herein.

The description provided above has been purposely limited to the contextof an enhanced mark button function of a marine electronics device. Itshould be readily apparent, however, that the techniques described aboveare also applicable to applications outside of a marine environment. Forexample, the techniques described above may also be effective inrelation to other sonar and radar based applications, commercial andrecreational aviation applications, automotive applications, andsub-marine applications.

The discussion above is directed to certain specific implementations. Itis to be understood that the discussion above is only for the purpose ofenabling a person with ordinary skill in the art to make and use anysubject matter defined now or later by the patent “claims” found in anyissued patent herein.

It is specifically intended that the claimed invention not be limited tothe implementations and illustrations contained herein, but includemodified forms of those implementations including portions of theimplementations and combinations of elements of differentimplementations as come within the scope of the following claims. Itshould be appreciated that in the development of any such actualimplementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerousimplementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve thedevelopers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness related constraints, which may vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a developmenteffort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be aroutine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those ofordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. Nothing in thisapplication is considered critical or essential to the claimed inventionunless explicitly indicated as being “critical” or “essential.”

Reference has been made in detail to various implementations, examplesof which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and figures. Inthe above detailed description, numerous specific details are set forthin order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure.However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art thatthe present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details.In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, circuitsand networks have not been described in detail so as not tounnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.

It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element from another. For example, a first object or step could betermed a second object or step, and, similarly, a second object or stepcould be termed a first object or step, without departing from the scopeof the invention. The first object or step, and the second object orstep, are both objects or steps, respectively, but they are not to beconsidered the same object or step.

The terminology used in the description of the present disclosure hereinis for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and isnot intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used in thedescription of the present disclosure and the appended claims, thesingular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It willalso be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to andencompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms“includes,” “including,” “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used inthis specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon”or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” dependingon the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [astated condition or event] is detected” may be construed to mean “upondetermining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [thestated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the statedcondition or event],” depending on the context.

As used herein, the terms “up” and “down”; “upper” and “lower”;“upwardly” and downwardly”; “below” and “above”; and other similar termsindicating relative positions above or below a given point or elementmay be used in connection with some implementations of varioustechnologies described herein. However, when applied to equipment andmethods for use in wells that are deviated or horizontal, or whenapplied to equipment and methods that when arranged in a well are in adeviated or horizontal orientation, such terms may refer to a left toright, right to left, or other relationships as appropriate.

While the foregoing is directed to implementations of various techniquesdescribed herein, other and further implementations may be devisedwithout departing from the basic scope thereof, which may be determinedby the claims that follow. Although the subject matter has beendescribed in language specific to structural features and/ormethodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matterdefined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to thespecific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific featuresand acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementingthe claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for capturing marine electronicsdata, the apparatus comprising: a user interface comprising a markbutton; a processor; memory having a plurality of executableinstructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processorto: receive a first request to capture data, wherein the first requestcomprises user input indicative of user interaction with the markbutton; generate a command in response to the first request; send thecommand across a network to a plurality of marine devices, the commandcomprising at least timestamp data or a unique identifier and a secondrequest for each of the plurality of marine devices to collect currentmarine data at each of the plurality of marine devices; receive thecurrent marine data from each of the plurality marine devices; andassociate and store the current marine data from each of the pluralityof marine devices in the memory based on the timestamp data or uniqueidentifier, such that the associated current marine data provides asnapshot of the marine environment.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe first request is initiated upon actuation of the mark button.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein actuation of the mark button provides adrop down menu and selection of an item in the drop down menu initiatesthe first request.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a plurality ofsnapshots of current marine data are collected periodically during abackground operation.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theassociated current marine data comprises a static snapshot of the marineenvironment.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the associated currentmarine data comprises a series of snapshots of the marine environment.7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the series of snapshots arerecorded for a trail of locations.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6, whereinthe series of snapshots are recorded over time, wherein the series ofsnapshots are recorded at a predetermined time interval.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 6, wherein the series of snapshots is stopped when athreshold has been reached.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein thethreshold comprises an event-based threshold.
 11. The apparatus of claim9, wherein the threshold comprises a time-based threshold.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of marine devices compriseat least two of a chart device, a radar device, a sonar device, a motor,a marine sensor, and a position sensor.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the current marine data comprises at least two of location,temperature, depth, weather conditions, location of catch, location ofanchor, tank level flow level, boat status, imaging status, wind speed,radar data, sonar data, speed data, heading data, automaticidentification system (AIS) data, Doppler data, navigation data, andcourse data.
 14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having storedthereon a plurality of computer-executable instructions which, whenexecuted by a computer, cause the computer to: receive, at a marineelectronics device, a first request to capture data, wherein the firstrequest comprises user input indicative of user interaction with a markbutton disposed on a user interface; generate, by the marine electronicsdevice, a command in response to receiving the first request; send, bythe marine electronics device, a command across a network to a pluralityof marine devices, the command comprising at least a timestamp or aunique identifier and a second request for each of the plurality ofmarine devices to collect current marine data at each of the pluralityof marine devices; receive, by the marine electronics device, thecurrent marine data from each of the plurality marine devices; andassociate and store, by the marine electronics device, the currentmarine data from each of the plurality of marine devices in a memorybased on the timestamp data or unique identifier, such that theassociated current marine data provides a snapshot of the marineenvironment.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first request isinitiated upon actuation of the mark button.
 16. The apparatus of claim14, wherein actuation of the mark button provides a drop down menu andselection of an item in the drop down menu initiates the first request.17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein a plurality of snapshots ofcurrent marine data are collected periodically during a backgroundoperation.
 18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the associated currentmarine data comprises a static snapshot of the marine environment. 19.The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the associated current marine datacomprises a series of snapshots of the marine environment.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 19, wherein the series of snapshots are recorded fora trail of locations or are recorded over time, wherein the series ofsnapshots are recorded at a predetermined time interval.